The In Vivo Imaging Facility provides a non-invasive approach to observe various disease and biological models in living systems. The author of hundreds of papers, video articles and imaging protocols, Leevy was recognized for his extensive expertise both on the Notre Dame campus and across the nation.

Leevy’s frustration with inefficient, leaky anesthesia delivery systems, combined with his entrepreneurial approach to problem solving, resulted in the initial design of a new live animal manifold system. This device not only solves the common problem of animals waking up during procedures, but it also addresses the more serious problem of occupational exposure to anesthesia gases, an OSHA-recognized long-term health hazard common in laboratory environments.

In one short year, Leevy filed the disclosures necessary to initiate a patent protection process, created In Vivo Concepts, an LLC that licensed the technology from the University, secured an industry-experienced businessman to serve as In Vivo Concept’s president, negotiated an exclusive sales and distribution contract with the industry’s largest supplier of imaging facilities’ laboratory equipment, and subcontracted with a local manufacturer for fulfillment of an initial $50,000 order for Equa-flow Anesthesia Manifolds. In addition, Leevy has supported early discussions surrounding the expansion of In Vivo Concepts into the veterinarian space, a market whose offices experience similar operational and safety problems.

The award, which carries a $20,000 cash prize, was presented Tuesday (April 8) during a dinner at Club Naimoli of the Purcell Pavilion, with the theme “It takes a Village to Commercialize an Idea.” In addition to Leevy, numerous other individuals and organizations were honored for their work in 2013, including:

The keynote speaker at this year’s event was Thomas J. Graham, a renowned hand surgeon who is the chief innovation officer of the Cleveland Clinic Innovations, the technology commercialization arm of the Cleveland Clinic, where he holds the Justice Family Chair in Medical Innovations. He also is vice chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery of the Cleveland Clinic.